U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced more than $3 million in federal Sandy aid for beach renourishment in North Wildwood .
The grant, which totals $3,152,734.53, is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance grant program and will go towards repairing the beach and dunes following damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, as well as for measures to prevent future erosion.
“ This federal funding will help replenish North Wildwood beaches and make them more resilient to future storms ,” said Senator Lautenberg , a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA. “ Repairing damaged beaches will help our coastal economy stay strong and ensure that North Wildwood remains a popular place for families to live and visit as we rebuild from Sandy .”
“ Superstorm Sandy showed that often in places where there were dunes and grasses, there was less damage, ” said Senator Menendez , who helped lead the New Jersey delegation in the fight for federal Sandy aid. “ Beach replenishment in North Wildwood will help the multi-billion dollar Jersey shore tourism industry, as well as protect the beach against erosion and future severe weather events so that visitors will be able to enjoy the shore for generations to come .”
The bulk of the funding will be used for maintenance and reconstruction of the North Wildwood Beach. The grant will also pay for repairs to the sand fence on the beach and for additional dune grass for erosion control. In addition, a post-construction survey and monitoring of the beach following repairs will be covered by this grant.
In January, the President signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.
Public Assistance grants are awarded by FEMA on a rolling basis after receiving applications from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.
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Press Release, June 3, 2013